Manchester United head into a potentially tricky away fixture against Southampton in the 4th round of the FA Cup this weekend without a few first team regualrs.
Rio Ferdinand (groin), Rafael (concussion), Evra (family bereavement) and Van der Sar (rested) will all not make the trip which will mean that a make shift defence will play in front of either Tomasz Kuszczak or debutant Anders Lindegaard.
Michael Carrick faces a late fitness test but other than those few a strong team is expected to play as Ferguson looks to win the FA Cup for the potentially last time. The Saints have been in good form of late in the league and Sir Alex watched them in their recent 6-0 win over Oldham. They have also won 7 out of 8 of their last FA Cup games and not yet conceded a goal in the competition yet this season.
In their last 3 trips to St Marys Man United have come away victorious and have only lost 1 in their last 14 away games in the FA Cup. The last time Southampton beat Manchester United in the FA Cup was in the 1976 Final!
Expect to see Ferguson use up the pack but remain with a strong core. The lack of recent Carling Cup action means there is plenty in the squad who could do with a run out as well as the likes of John O’Shea and Wes Brown who are returning from injury. I expect to see Fabio slot in at left back, he is an exciting youngster who needs game time to catch up on his brothers heroics.
Man United should come through this round but will have to battle for it. All of our attackers are available but some (Berbatov) maybe used as subs and only used if needed to pull us back in the game.
Predicted Line Up:
Lindergard/Kuszczak,
O’Shea,
Vidic,
Evans,
Fabio,
Anderson,
Fletcher,
Nani,
Gibson,
Owen,
Rooney.
Predicted Score:
Southampton 1 Manchester United 3
How do you think they will do?
Submitted by Glory Glory Man Utd
